The public are much more optimistic about the future of investigative journalism than those working in the media industry, a poll by YouGov for the London Press Club shows today.

More than half of those surveyed believe investigative journalism is having a positive impact on democracy and only 12 per cent think it is having a negative impact despite scandals such as phone hacking.

However, 62 per cent of those working in the media claimed the outlook for investigative journalism is poor and they fear there is insufficient funding because of falling revenues. BBC broadcaster and ex-Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil said: “I’m encouraged that more than half of the general public is optimistic about investigative journalism, it shows they are following it.”

Neil, who ran agenda-setting scoops at the Sunday Times in the Eighties, said he found journalists tended to be overly pessimistic. “We have a habit of running investigative journalism down, of saying, ‘It’s getting worse, it’s not what it was’. It seems to be flourishing from The Guardian to the Sunday Times to broadcasters.” He added: “Governments, powerful corporations and vested interests are always trying to shut down journalism — they hate it. If journalism’s not under threat, we’re not doing our job.”

Neil chairs the debate “Can investigative journalism survive?” organised by the Press Club at Stationers’ Hall in the City tonight. Others taking part include Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, Daily Telegraph writer Andrew Gilligan, biographer Tom Bower and Heather Brooke, best known for exposing MPs’ expenses.

The YouGov survey revealed that a significant proportion of the public did not understand what investigative journalism entailed. Neil said: “The public doesn’t really know what investigative journalism is but they know a good scoop when they see one.”

Londonpressclub.co.uk and standard.co.uk for reports after the debate which is fully booked.